The 2017 Confederations Cup is just around the corner, and the eight participating nations are gearing up for their shot at glory.
With less than 12 months until the World Cup kicks off in Russia, excitement is reaching a crescendo and we are in for a treat of football brilliance as the dress rehearsal gets underway in a few short days’ time.
It’s not always the best barometer to predict how things might shape up next year, as it happens so far in advance of the main competition, but it is always an entertaining tournament full of goals, drama and pulsating football.
So, let’s take a look at five exciting midfielders to watch as it all unfolds.
#5 Tom Rogic (Australia)
Currently plying his trade with Celtic in the Scottish Premier League, Tom Rogic recently played an instrumental role in guiding them to a league triumph in which they remained unbeaten throughout. The star from Scotland is now well placed to become a real legend for the Bhoys.
For a number of years, Rogic has been tipped to do marvellous things for the Australian national team and now he has the chance to power them to a respectable showing at the Confederations Cup with the whole world watching.
With more experience, greater skills and the confidence of having enjoyed such a remarkable season with the SPL champions, a mature Rogic will be eager to make his mark against some of the big guns and the Socceroos will be heavily reliant on his dynamic displays from midfield.
Australia see themselves pitted in Group B alongside Cameroon, Chile and Germany. While they are most definitely the underdogs, a bit of Rogic magic could be enough to steer them to the second spot in that group.
The 24-year-old scored the winning goal in the Scottish Cup final so he knows how to handle the big occasions. He’ll definitely be one to watch considering the form he’s in.
#4 Aleksandr Golovin (Russia)
At just 21 years of age, Aleksandr Golovin is one of a handful of Russian squad members who could go on to successfully spearhead a new era of dominance for the country.
Golovin has already been linked with English Premier League champions Chelsea, a clear indication that the youngster has what it takes to mix it with the best around.
The CSKA Moscow starlet is expected to fill the team's playmaker role and will provide the link between defence and attack. One shouldn’t be surprised to see him test a few opposition keepers from long-range either as he is fond of scoring goals as well as assisting the strikers. His shots are deadly and could prove decisive in a tense, closely-fought battle.
Already a champion with his country, Golovin claimed a winner’s medal at the European U17 Championships back in 2013 and has been likened to the incisive Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil in the past.
This could be Golovin’s chance to take the senior stage by storm and make himself a national icon.
#3 Andre Gomes (Portugal)
Making at immediate impact at the Camp Nou is never an easy feat for anyone, and Andre Gomes found the going pretty tough in his debut season with the Catalans – but there is every reason to believe the 23-year-old will come good in time.
Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez, in fact, went on record with A Bola (via FanSided) recently to defend Gomes by saying that the youngster just needs the fans to be patient with his development.
People needs to have patience with André Gomes. I am sure that we are going to see him playing with much more confidence, freedom and with a greater understanding of Barca’s play.
Xavi's words should be enough to dissuade any fan who might want to usher Gomes through the exit door this summer and the Confederations Cup would surely be the best platform for the 23-year-old to start proving people wrong.
With a few weeks on the international stage, away from the pressures of club football, we could see another side to Gomes - the side that prompted the Blaugrana to sign him up in the first place.
This is his chance to shine and you can be sure he will know that. Get ready for a revitalised, re-energised Gomes who has a point to prove.
#2 Arturo Vidal (Chile)
It's always a pleasure watching Arturo Vidal in full flow - he’s one of the most eye-catching and effective footballers in world football today.
The Bayern Munich midfielder enjoyed a mixed season with Die Roten during the 2016/17 campaign – they cantered to the Bundesliga title but saw themselves eliminated (albeit unfortunately so) in the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League by ultimate champions Real Madrid.
Vidal will certainly be hoping to add to his solitary winners’ medal this campaign by claiming glory in Russia, and although it will not be easy, the veteran has plenty of experience winning trophies with Chile. He was instrumental to both of their 2015 and Centenario victories in the Copa America, after all.
The former Juve man’s workman-like aggression, excellent passing and eye for goal will all be crucial to Chile's hopes of upsetting the hosts.
Expected to be deployed as a defensive midfielder with licence to roam, the Munich midfielder ought to set the tempo to their style of play - he will add the balance, the tenacity and the bite. If he is on song, as he is expected to be after a few weeks’ rest, then Chile will be a force to be reckoned with.
#1 Julian Brandt (Germany)
If Brazil is the home of naturally-gifted superstars, then Germany is the production line where raw talents are regimentally streamlined toward greatness on a habitual basis – Julian Brandt is the most recent example of this.
On the books at Bayer Leverkusen, 21-year-old Brandt is busying away under the radar, attempting to keep his head down, earn regular minutes and quietly sneak his way into the senior national team's starting XI.
Brandt has already impressed quite a few and has turned many heads throughout his short career to date. And the Confederations Cup could very well be the moment he has been waiting for to announce himself properly to the world and earn him the plaudits he has been building towards for the past few years.
Having come through the underage Die Mannschaft ranks, Brandt has been on course to become a senior star for some time now, plus big teams like Tottenham Hotspur are being linked with his services this summer.
Although he has stated his desire to stay with Leverkusen with a view to earning his spot at Russia 2018, a stellar series of performances over the next few weeks might just be enough to tempt Spurs or another cash-rich club to produce a big-money offer too good to refuse.
Your move, Julian.
